Module and apparatus for drying containers

Abstract

Drying module (1) for drying containers (100), comprising:a tunnel (2) inside which the containers (100) move forwards along an advancement trajectory (T);conveying means (3) for conveying the containers (100) inside the tunnel (2);a first row of tubular elements (4) arranged inside the tunnel (2), each tubular element (4) of the first row having an extension along a corresponding prevalent direction (A-A) and having an opening (4a) to dispense air onto the containers (100) in transit in the tunnel (2), one of more of the tubular elements (4) of the first row being telescopic so as to have an adjustable length according to the corresponding prevalent direction (A-A).

1 . A drying module for drying containers, comprising:
 a tunnel inside which the containers move forwards along an advancement trajectory;   conveying means for conveying the containers inside the tunnel, wherein the drying module comprises at least one first row of tubular elements arranged inside the tunnel, each tubular element of the first row extending along a corresponding prevalent direction and having an opening to dispense air on the containers in transit in the tunnel, one or more of said tubular elements of the first row being telescopic so as to have an adjustable length according to the corresponding prevalent direction.   
     
     
         2 . The drying module according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second row of tubular elements arranged inside the tunnel, each tubular element of the second row extending along a corresponding prevalent direction and having an opening to dispense air onto the containers in transit in the tunnel, one or more of said tubular elements of the second row being telescopic so as to have an adjustable length according to the corresponding prevalent direction, said first row and said second row being arranged on sides opposite the advancement trajectory of the containers inside the tunnel. 
     
     
         3 . The drying module according to  claim 2 , further comprising an air supply system comprising:
 at least one blower;   a first conduit from which the tubular elements of the first row branch off;   a second conduit from which the tubular elements of the second row branch off, said first conduit and said second conduit being parallel to one another and in fluid communication with the blower.   
     
     
         4 . The drying module according to  claim 3 , wherein each tubular element of the first row branches off from the first conduit, the prevalent direction thereof being arranged on a plane substantially orthogonal to the first conduit and each tubular element of the second row branches off from the second conduit, the prevalent direction thereof being arranged on a plane substantially orthogonal to the second conduit. 
     
     
         5 . The drying module according to  claim 3 , further comprising a control system configured to vary the distance between the first conduit and the second conduit and/or to adjust the height of said conduits with respect to the conveying means. 
     
     
         6 . The drying module according to  claim 3 , wherein the tubular elements are rotatably fitted to the corresponding conduits so that it is possible to singly vary the inclination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The drying module according to  claim 6 , wherein each tubular element is rotatably fitted to the corresponding conduit so as to rotate around an axis that is orthogonal to the longitudinal extension of the conduit. 
     
     
         8 . The drying module according to  claim 3 , wherein the tubular elements are rotatable around the corresponding prevalent direction. 
     
     
         9 . The drying module according to  claim 2 , wherein the opening of each tubular element is made as a slit in a free end portion of the tubular element. 
     
     
         10 . The drying module according to  claim 9 , wherein said free end portion has an open end to which a closure is applied so as to convey the air toward the corresponding opening. 
     
     
         11 . The drying module according to  claim 10 , wherein said open end is cut at 45° with respect to the corresponding prevalent direction. 
     
     
         12 . The drying module according to  claim 2 , wherein all the tubular elements are telescopic. 
     
     
         13 . The drying module according to  claim 2 , wherein the tubular elements are made of a stiff material. 
     
     
         14 . A drying apparatus comprising a plurality of drying modules according to  claim 1 , said drying modules being arranged in a cascade. 
     
     
         15 . The drying apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the conveying means of the containers is made as a single device that traverses all tunnels of the drying modules.